Swimming paddle



Julie 9, 1925.

c. s. BARRETT- SWIMMING PADDLE Filed July 24, 1924 Patented June 9, 1925.

uMTEusTArEs PATENT QFFEQE.

CHAR-LES s. BAnnn'r'r, or oanrsosnra.

. SXVIMMING PADDLE.

Application filed July 2 1-, 192 1. No. 727',898..

a propelling surface shown as ovoidal in outline much larger than is furnished by a hand.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a swimming paddle having a propelling surface capable of disposal, during the return stroke of the hand on which. it is used, so that it may be substantially reduced in area, oliering a greatly diminished resistan'ce.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide automatic means tor returning said paddle from a reduced or returning position into propelling position.

it isalso an object of the invention to iirovide. in a device of this character an adjustable palm band which renders it readily applicable to either hand.

it is also an object of this; invention to provide a swimming paddle of verysimple and inexpensive design, durable in coi'istruction and eliioient in operation, allot which qualities conti'iljiute to provide a superior paddle.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear fronrthe following description or an advantageous embodiment thereof. taken in connection with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in whic h Fig. 1 is a face View of a paddle including essential features oi": my invention and showing it mounted on a hand.

Fig. 2 is a side View showing the disposal of the paddle in folded or returning position.

Fig. 3 is a section taken as indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, the hand being eliminated in this view, so as to clearly show the construction of the paddle.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the line i in Fig. eyes 18 at each end thereof.

' 1 1 of F lfthis view cepioting a preferred means for auton'iatically returning and resiliently retaining the paddle inpropelling position. i

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view, showing an ad antageous manner in which the iraiiie construction oil the paddle may be hinged together.

As shown in the draWings 11 represents a web member which is preferably elliptical. or ovoid in shape, and. which has a peripheral seam 12. The web 11 may be made of any material which is practically impervious to water, such as a rubberized or other fabric. Secured by the seam 12 of the web 11, is shown a web-supporting and tensioning peripheral frame 18, which is intended to hold the web in flat disposition. The frame 13 preferably comprises ,a finger frame portion 15 and a palm frame portion 16, which may be hinged togetherfas shown Across strut '17 is provided with At eaclrend of the member '15 andthe member 16 are provided eyes 19 and 20 respectively, these eyes being preferably secured'tothe eyes 18. in substantially the manner shown, by a hinge arrangement of very siii'iple and'iiu expensive ia'mstruction. Slightly below the cross strut 17 is shown a cross brace Ell. which has eyes 25. by which it is secured to the palm :l ra'me 16, for the stabilizing thereof.

Eecured to the frame 13 by means of band.

supporting members 26 is shown a palm hand 27, the hand supporting 'inei'i'ibers 26 being provided with eyes throughwhioh the cross members Hand 24 extend... It is advantageous to make the palm band 27 from an elastic material, so that no adjustment is necessary when attaching to a hand; but, by the described construction, an ad.- justability oi the position of the band, 27 relative to the frame and web of the device may optionally be provided. A coil spring 30 is shown as situated upon the cross strut 17 and as having an arm 31 which extends to and is secured to the cross brace 24, for holding it in correct position, this spring arrangement 30 being clearly shown in Fig. 4:. Extending from the spring 30, at the end opposite from the arm 31, is a leg 33, shown as secured at 34 to the finger frame 15, for holding the same fiat as in Figs. 1, 3 and Jr. This spring arrangement constitutes a means for resiliently returning til) and retaining the device in what may be termed its propelling position, or that position in which the web portion is flat and provides its greatest effective area. Near the lower end of the palm portion and secured to the web 11 in any suitable manner is a wrist band 37, which may be comprised of cooperating straps 38 and 39, which may be adjustable through a buckle 40.

In using the device, a hand, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is arranged so that the fingers extend through the band 27 and so that the knuckles of this hand rest substantially under the palm band 27, the thumb being optionally positioned in any comfortable manner outside the band, as shown in the drawings. By reason of the adjustable arrangement of the palm band, the hand may be positioned in, a comfortable and effective manner upon the device. It will also be seen that the same paddle may be used for either hand, as the band 27 may be central or it may be shifted so as to allow the positioning of the thumb on either side thereof, the wrist strap 37 being in any case secured around the wrist substantially as shown in Fig. 1. In swimming, during the propelling stroke, the hand is held flat as it ordinarily would be without the paddle, this allows the paddle to rest in fiat or propelling position, giving the swimmer greater power and more speed than he would have without the paddle, and occasioning less exertion. During the returning stroke of the hand, the fingers thereof are bent as shown in Fig. 2. This forces the paddle into folded or returning position against the action of the spring 30. In this position, the effective area thereof is considerably reduced, as will be seen from Fig. 2, so that the paddle will offer little resistance to the advance of the swimmer.

In practice, my invention has proven very successful. It increases very greatly the efficiency and pleasure of swimming. The device isalso very economical, and, by reason of the simple construction thereof, it' is lightin weight and is not cumbersome to wear.

Although I have herein described one complete embodiment of my invention, it

will be understood that various features thereof might be independently employed and also that various modifications might be made by those skilled inthe art, without the slightest departure from the spirit and scope of my invention, as the same is indicated above and in the following claims.

. I claim as my invention:

1. A swimming paddle comprising: a tensioned web ovoidal in outline, said web providing a propelling surface, supported by a peripheral frame and said frame comprising two wires bent to conform with said outline and capable of movement into a folded position. V

2. A paddle as defined in claim 1 comprising: means for returning said paddle into a propelling position.

8. A swimming paddle comprising: a hinged frame; a web supported by said frame; and means for resiliently returning said frame to fiat or propelling position.

ft. A paddle as defined in claim 3 in which said means is a spring on a cross strut.

A paddle as defined in claim 3 but comprising cross braces for said frame.

6. A paddle as defined in claim 3 provided with an elastic palm band secured thereto.

7. A paddle as defined in claim 3 provided with an elastic palm band adjnstably secured thereto. v I

8. A paddle as defined m claim 8 comprising: cross braces for said frame and an elastic palm band, said palm band being adjustably supported by said cross braces.

9. A swimming paddle comprising: a web having a peripheral seam; a frame secured by said seam, said frame comprising a finger portion and a palm portion hinged together; a spring for retaining said frame in flat disposal; cross braces secured to said frame; a

palm band laterally adjustable on said cross braces; and a wrist band secured to said web.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angelcs, California, this 18th day of July, 1924.

CHARLES S. BARRETT. 

